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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government and business put forward “Team UK” approach to unleash defence sector’s potential

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Government and business put forward “Team UK” approach to unleash defence sector’s potential

    Plans to deliver jobs across the UK by unlocking the full economic potential of Britain’s defence sector are set to be unveiled today (8 July 2025).

    • Recommendations unveiled today by the Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce will build upon 14,000 extra jobs supported by government investment in the defence sector

    • Comes as Defence Tech company Helsing announces the UK’s first Resilience Factory in Plymouth as it accelerates £350m UK investment in Artificial Intelligence

    • Taskforce report puts forward “Team UK” government and business collaboration to drive growth and create jobs as part of government’s Plan for Change

    Recommendations from the Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce will outline key steps – including developing regional Defence Growth Deals – to ensure that working people benefit from the government’s move to increase defence spending.

    New opportunities for UK workers are already on the way with defence tech company Helsing announcing that it will open the UK’s first Resilience Factory this year. The UK technology and its supply chain will create specialist high-value jobs in the South West and across the country, as Helsing doubles the size of its UK business.

    Helsing’s acceleration of its £350m Trinity House private investment will see it provide allied navies with AI-powered miniature submarines to protect critical underwater infrastructure. The advanced manufacturing facility will be based in Plymouth, as the new national centre of marine autonomy.

    The Taskforce’s recommendations will be launched at a Ministry of Defence roundtable chaired by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Defence Secretary John Healey later today.

    The report’s key recommendation is for a “Team UK” strategy to ensure the UK is globally competitive, driving innovation, jobs and prosperity across the UK, reforming procurement and contracting processes to grow the UK defence sector – in line with the Strategic Defence Review.

    It also recommends prioritising investment in “dual use” technologies that can be used for both civil and military purposes in the UK.

    The meeting comes as figures published last week show that 151,000 UK jobs are directly supported by the MOD’s spend with industry – an increase of 14,000 on the previous year.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    “A new era of threats demands a new era for defence and security. That’s why we took the decision to prioritise defence spending, increasing it to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027.

    “Through this, and the work of the Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce – including Helsing’s welcome announcement of the first UK Resilience Factory – we are securing our nation and unleashing the economic potential in the Defence sector, benefitting working people across the UK through our Plan for Change.”

    Ned Baker, UK Managing Director, Helsing:

    “Helsing supports the Government’s ambitions for our defences and economy. We are investing in both by opening the first UK Resilience Factory and accelerating our £350m commitment.

    “We have confidence in the Government’s commitment to new technological solutions for defence. Together, we can attract further private investment, equipping our Armed Forces and growing the economy.”

    The Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, said:

    “In a new era for defence, we are building a new partnership with the UK’s outstanding defence industry, with innovators and with investors.

    “We will equip our Armed Forces for the future and make defence an engine for economic growth through our Defence Industrial Strategy – unlocking investment, reforming procurement, championing innovation and backing companies of all sizes.
    “I welcome the Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce’s report which recognises how we can boost high-skilled jobs across the country and grow our economy while strengthening our frontline forces.”

    The government has already begun work on three of the report’s recommendations:

    • Establishing a defence SME Hub to provide support to new market entrants.

    • Commencing work on a Defence Exports Office in the MOD, as announced in the Strategic Defence Review.

    • Committing to developing Defence Growth Deals across the UK at the Spending Review.

    The remaining recommendations will now be worked through as part of the cross-Whitehall Defence Growth Board and the Defence Industrial Joint Council ahead of the forthcoming launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy.

    The Taskforce, led by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) with Oliver Wyman and co-chaired by the Chancellor and Defence Secretary, is a unique partnership between government, industry and financial institutions. Its 20 member organisations have collaborated with HM Treasury and the MOD to produce the recommendations.

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: GCA Annual Conference 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    GCA Annual Conference 2025

    Registration is now open for the GCA’s 2025 Annual Conference which will take place on Tuesday 30 September.

    The conference will bring together the 14 large retailers, suppliers and industry experts to reflect on changes to the groceries sector, ongoing challenges, support available for suppliers and future priorities. There will also be a session from YouGov taking a closer look at the GCA’s 2025 annual survey results.

    The conference is free to attend, and participants can join online or in person.

    How to register

    In person

    To express an interest to attend in person, in Central London, please complete this form.

    Please be aware that spaces are limited for in-person attendance. If we can offer you an in-person place, we will send you an email confirmation with further information.

    Online

    Alternatively, you can register to join online.

    If you have any questions about the conference, please email enquiries@groceriescode.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU Startup Studio Presented Its Projects for the First Time in the Form of the Artificial Intelligence Alley

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Alley of Friendship of Artificial and Natural Intelligence was a horizontal space designed as a real alley: it had trees and a waterfall, and an interactive exhibition was inscribed into such a landscape. The alley symbolized a walk of an ordinary person through the world of artificial intelligence and modern technologies that are available on the market and that can be tried right here and now. In total, over 1,000 people walked through the alley during the day of work – from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: each of the visitors got involved in the interactive activities presented at the stands. A separate bright component of the exhibition was the game “Startup Race”, which the NSU Startup Studio presented to a wide audience and tested in action.

    The alley included the following technologies and developments:

    1. Emotion analyzer

    At the reception for registering guests of Smart Picnic there was a special camera with an interactive screen. Anyone could come up, make a face, and the screen would display the emotion they were experiencing.

    The guests were particularly impressed by this invention: everyone had fun and amusement checking how well their faces were able to express emotions. The technology also has medical applications for diagnosing diseases associated with incorrect display of emotions on the face.

    2. Virtual assistant

    After the first stop, guests were met by a virtual animator from the NSU Startup Studio, who announced all the technologies created using artificial intelligence.

    3. Emulator of human personality in voice

    NSU students who received a grant created a voice simulator that imitated the personality of famous people. Visitors to the alley interacted with the simulator through their voice, trying to sell it a pen or ask a question, like in the movie “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

    4. Smile analyzer

    The next stand was a smile analyzer, developed jointly with a doctor from the Rostov Medical University. The device, using a patented method, gave recommendations on the health of teeth and the oral cavity based on a smile analysis.

    5. Game “Academ Dreams”

    This stand offered to immerse oneself in the world of Akademgorodok in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Players could become virtual residents of the science town and interact with its inhabitants, creating a copy of themselves in the virtual space.

    6. Swaid Monitor

    It was a photoplethysmograph that recorded heart rate readings and constructed a stress index using the Baevsky method. Together with the staff of the Psychology department of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU, the game “Calm Down” was developed, in which participants put on a bracelet and, while meditating, watched the stress line decrease on the screen. The monitor helped participants achieve a meditative state even in a crowd.

    7. Map of emotions

    Each of the visitors to the alley and the Picnic sites in general could mark themselves on the map and indicate what emotion they are currently experiencing in real time. The development is also intended for deep behavioral research: for example, what emotion and how intensely a particular group of people in a particular location experiences.

    8. Games with artificial intelligence

    Several separate stands presented interactive games in which visitors fought against AI – “Crocodile” and “Riddles”. Separately, an interactive demo board was presented with photographs of how people interact with inventions at the exhibition.

    9. Game “Startup Race”

    The development was first presented at the alley and was tested in real time.

    Of course, not all projects of the NSU Startup Studio were presented at the Alley, since among its participants there are more than 30 residents with their own ideas and projects.

    — The Artificial Intelligence Exhibition became a kind of “frontier” for us, which could be organized at the Smart Picnic site. On the one hand, the alley became our product and even an element of the interactive show, and, on the other hand, it was also a challenge for our residents and partners — they had to show their technology to people in extreme conditions and, despite everything, think through to the smallest detail how to present a demo version of the product, what to say in the opening speech, at what points it is worth speeding up production in order to show a finished product, and not just developments and an idea. That is, the Artificial Intelligence Alley became a powerful incentive for our residents to work, — said Evgeny Ivanov, a representative of the NSU Startup Studio and managing partner of the Coion investment syndicate.

    According to Evgeniy, some startups actually showed high growth rates thanks to their participation in the Alley.

    — One of the projects, Lexis Voice, the very same stand with a voice imitator and the question “Sell a pen”, showed a good result. The team accelerated in all directions, from development to sales market. Thus, in a month and a half, the project’s revenue increased 5 times, because there was a strict deadline – participation in the exhibition, and a clear understanding of what should be ready by this time, — summed up Evgeny Ivanov.

    The next step in popularizing innovative entrepreneurship after the Artificial Intelligence Alley is the Startup Unit school, which started in July, where anyone can feel like a budding entrepreneur. After the school, in the fall, all students will be able to start the NSU acceleration program .catalyst, and residents of the NSU startup studio will also be able to take part in the Siberian Venture Fair, where they will present projects in the format of idea boards. The goal of all these projects is one – to bring to life the ideas and developments of students.

    — The fair is really one of the elements of the chain, which the Startup Studio is developing with its residents. Ultimately, all this is so that innovators launch some product, a viable business, and then return to the state the resources that are invested in them in the form of various subsidies, grant support that they can attract. Our task is for our residents to “spend” these funds correctly and as a result, a finished product is obtained that is needed by someone and will be sold, — emphasized Alexey Starostin, Director of the NSU Startup Studio.

    Material prepared by: Tatyana Ershova, NSU press service

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: BSTDB Invests EUR 40 million to Support Bulgaria’s Energy Security and Regional Integration

    Source: Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

    Press Release | 08-Jul-2025

    Financing Will Strengthen Bulgarian Energy Holding

    In a strategic move to advance energy resilience, sustainable infrastructure, and economic integration in the Black Sea region, the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) has invested EUR 40 million in the latest bond issuance by the Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD (BEH), Bulgaria’s state-owned energy leader and a major electricity exporter in the Balkans.

    The BSTDB financing will support BEH in implementing strategic investment projects in the country, particularly the modernization of the national electricity transmission infrastructure. These investments aim to strengthen the country’s energy security, improve system reliability, and contribute to broader economic development.

    The investment also supports the goals of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) agenda by fostering infrastructure connectivity and sustainable energy systems — key pillars of regional development and integration among BSEC Member States.

    “Energy sector development is one of BSTDB’s top priorities in Bulgaria and across the Black Sea region,” said Dr. Serhat Köksal, President of BSTDB. “We are pleased to continue supporting Bulgarian Energy Holding’s investment programme, which aligns with our mandate to promote regional economic cooperation and integration. Enhancing energy infrastructure not only serves national needs but also contributes to a more connected and resilient Black Sea energy market.”

    “It is a pleasure to recognize BSTDB as a valued partner supporting our ongoing efforts in the energy sector. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to the development of key strategic projects that will strengthen energy security and promote sustainable development not only in Bulgaria, but across the wider region. We deeply appreciate BSTDB’s support and expertise, and we look forward to continuing our successful cooperation in the years to come,” said Valentin Nikolov, CEO of Bulgarian Energy Holding.

     

    Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD is the parent company of a group of subsidiaries and affiliates active in electricity generation, transmission, and supply, as well as natural gas transmission, supply, storage, and coal mining. BEH plays a central role in Bulgaria’s energy landscape, owning and operating the country’s main electricity generation assets, the national electricity transmission grid, and the gas transmission and transit network. As the public supplier of electricity and gas, it is a strategically vital institution for both domestic energy stability and regional energy cooperation.

    The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org.

     

    Contact: Haroula Christodoulou

    : @BSTDB

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI China: Lin, Wang reach second round at WTT United States Smash

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Men’s world No. 1 Lin Shidong and women’s second seed Wang Manyu of China both advanced to the last 32 at the World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash on Monday.

    Lin emerged victorious in a full-game battle against France’s Thibault Poret, while Wang swept past Sweden’s Christina Kallberg in straight games.

    Facing Poret, Lin twice held the lead but was pushed to a deciding game by his 34th-ranked opponent before sealing the win with an 11-5 final game.

    “As I haven’t competed internationally for a while, my adaptation to the venue and the table wasn’t that good at the start,” said Lin. “As the match progressed, I became more confident in my shots. Hopefully I will get the shape back as soon as possible and go all out against any opponent.”

    Chinese players had mixed results in the men’s singles first round. Xiang Peng defeated Portugal’s Joao Geraldo three-one, but Lin Gaoyuan fell to Spain’s Alvaro Robles in five games, and Zhou Qihao lost in straight games to Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna.

    In the women’s draw, Wang Manyu controlled the key moments in an 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 win over Kallberg.

    “It was our first encounter, so I made full preparations for what might lie ahead. I just kept patient on crucial points, and tried to reduce unforced errors,” Wang remarked.

    Asked about her goals for the tournament, Wang said, “Raise my game and adaptation game by game.”

    She was joined in the second round by teammate Wang Yidi, who defeated Japanese wildcard Miyu Nagasaki 3-0, and Xu Yi, who edged past Shi Xunyao in an all-Chinese matchup.

    Also on Monday, notable players advancing included Lin Yun-ju of Chinese Taipei, Sweden’s Truls Moregard, and Japan’s Satsuki Odo and Mima Ito. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Valeura Energy Inc.: Q2 2025 Operations and Financial Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Valeura Energy Inc. (TSX:VLE, OTCQX:VLERF) (“Valeura” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on Q2 2025 operations.

    Highlights

    • Safe ongoing operations, with oil production averaging 21.4 mbbls/d(1) – maintaining full year production guidance of 23.0 – 25.5 mbbls/d;
    • Revenue of US$129.3 million;
    • Taxes of US$15.8 million paid, primarily in respect of the Jasmine asset. No further cash tax payments anticipated for the remainder of 2025;
    • Cash position of US$241.9 million and no debt; and
    • Final investment decision on the Wassana Field redevelopment and construction phase commenced.

    (1) Working interest share oil production, before royalties.

    Dr. Sean Guest, President and CEO commented:

    “During Q2 2025 we demonstrated another safe quarter of ongoing production and drilling operations and took a positive final investment decision on our major redevelopment project at the Wassana field, which is now moving to the construction phase.

    While production volumes are down quarter-on-quarter, our plan had always assumed that production would be weighted to the second half of the year and we are therefore maintaining our full-year production guidance range of 23.0 – 25.5 mbbls/d.

    From a financial perspective, we continue to prioritise balance sheet strength, and firmly believe this will serve our stakeholders well as we pursue opportunities to add value. While the headwinds of lower global oil prices during the quarter are apparent in our revenue of US$129.3 million, we are continuing to invest while maintaining a strong cash position.”

    Q2 2025 Update

    Working interest share production before royalties averaged 21.4 mbbls/d during Q2 2025, a decrease of 10.2% from Q1 2025. Rates reflect the impact of planned downtime and natural declines at Valeura’s larger producing assets, which is consistent with the Company’s business plan. Q2 was anticipated to be the lowest production quarter of the year, and with rates weighted to the second half of 2025, the Company is maintaining its full year production guidance range of 23.0 – 25.5 mbbls/d.

    Oil sales totalled 1.90 million bbls during Q2 2025. The Company recorded a net increase in oil inventory, as measured at the end of the quarter, to a total of 0.93 million bbls at June 30, 2025. In addition, a parcel of 0.24 million bbls of oil was sold just after the end of the quarter, on July 1, 2025.

    Price realisations averaged US$67.95/bbl during Q2 2025, a US$0.67/bbl premium over the weighted average Brent crude oil benchmark. Realised price was down 14% from Q1 2025 given the significant drop in global oil prices.

    Taxes for the Company’s Thai I concession (Jasmine) are due in May of each year for the prior full year, and US$15.8 million was duly paid during the quarter primarily in respect of this asset. Taxes for the Company’s Thai III concessions (Nong Yao, Manora, and Wassana) are due in May and August of each year, however taxable income for the current tax period (2H 2024) was fully offset by tax loss carry-forwards. Given the above, no further tax payments are expected in 2025.

    Despite a relatively low oil price, a full quarter of spending on drilling operations, and scheduled Thai tax payments, Valeura’s cash position at June 30, 2025, was US$241.9 million (with no debt), up slightly from the previous quarter-end. In addition, US$19.6 million in revenue, relating to a lifting on June 25, 2025, was not received until early in July 2025. As a result, this US$19.6 million is not included in the revenue or the Company’s cash balance at June 30, 2025, but will be correctly accounted in the Q2 financials.

    Operations Update
    Production operations are continuing safely on Valeura’s four Gulf of Thailand fields, with no lost time injuries.

    During the quarter, Valeura mobilised its contracted drilling rig to Block G11/48 (Nong Yao, 90% working interest). The drilling campaign is progressing as planned toward its objective of approximately 10 new development wells and is expected to be complete in Q4 2025. The campaign will entail new development wells drilled from each of the three Nong Yao wellhead facilities, and will therefore include the first ever infill development wells on the Nong Yao C platform, which the Company installed in 2024.

    In May 2025, Valeura took a final investment decision on redevelopment the Wassana field in Licence G10/48 (100% interest). The project will entail deployment of a new central processing platform facility on the field, intended to increase production, reduce costs, and create a hub for eventual tie-in of potential additional satellite wellhead platforms. The project is on plan, and moving into its construction phase now. First production is planned for Q2 2027.

    Results Timing
    Valeura intends to release its full unaudited financial and operating results for Q2 2025 on August 7, 2025, and will discuss the results in more detail through a management webcast hosted later that day.

    For further information, please contact:

    Valeura Energy Inc. (General Corporate Enquiries)
    +65 6373 6940
    Sean Guest, President and CEO
    Yacine Ben-Meriem, CFO
    Contact@valeuraenergy.com

    Valeura Energy Inc. (Investor and Media Enquiries)
    +1 403 975 6752 / +44 7392 940495
    Robin James Martin, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations
    IR@valeuraenergy.com

    About the Company

    Valeura Energy Inc. is a Canadian public company engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas in Thailand and in Türkiye. The Company is pursuing a growth-oriented strategy and intends to re-invest into its producing asset portfolio and to deploy resources toward further organic and inorganic growth in Southeast Asia. Valeura aspires toward value accretive growth for stakeholders while adhering to high standards of environmental, social and governance responsibility.

    Additional information relating to Valeura is also available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Advisory and Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    Certain information included in this news release constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking information is for the purpose of explaining management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “target” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.

    Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s anticipated full year 2025 guidance assumptions; no further cash tax payments being anticipated in 2025; timing and composition of future drilling campaigns; the effect of the Wassana redevelopment project on production, costs, and future growth of the G10/48 block; and timing for first production from the Wassana redevelopment project. Although the Company believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect.

    Forward-looking information is based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding, among other things: political stability of the areas in which the Company is operating; continued safety of operations and ability to proceed in a timely manner; continued operations of and approvals forthcoming from governments and regulators in a manner consistent with past conduct; ability to achieve extensions to licences in Thailand and Türkiye to support attractive development and resource recovery; future drilling activity on the required/expected timelines; the prospectivity of the Company’s lands; the continued favourable pricing and operating netbacks across its business; future production rates and associated operating netbacks and cash flow; decline rates; future sources of funding; future economic conditions; the impact of inflation of future costs; future currency exchange rates; interest rates; the ability to meet drilling deadlines and fulfil commitments under licences and leases; future commodity prices; the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; the impact of conflicts in the Middle East; royalty rates and taxes; management’s estimate of cumulative tax losses being correct; future capital and other expenditures; the success obtained in drilling new wells and working over existing wellbores; the performance of wells and facilities; the availability of the required capital to funds its exploration, development and other operations, and the ability of the Company to meet its commitments and financial obligations; the ability of the Company to secure adequate processing, transportation, fractionation and storage capacity on acceptable terms; the capacity and reliability of facilities; the application of regulatory requirements respecting abandonment and reclamation; the recoverability of the Company’s reserves and contingent resources; future growth; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; the impact of increasing competition; the availability and identification of mergers and acquisition opportunities; the ability to successfully negotiate and complete any mergers and acquisition opportunities; the ability to efficiently integrate assets and employees acquired through acquisitions; global energy policies going forward; international trade policies; future debt levels; and the Company’s continued ability to obtain and retain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost efficient manner. In addition, the Company’s work programmes and budgets are in part based upon expected agreement among joint venture partners and associated exploration, development and marketing plans and anticipated costs and sales prices, which are subject to change based on, among other things, the actual results of drilling and related activity, availability of drilling, offshore storage and offloading facilities and other specialised oilfield equipment and service providers, changes in partners’ plans and unexpected delays and changes in market conditions. Although the Company believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect.

    Forward-looking information involves significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Exploration, appraisal, and development of oil and natural gas reserves and resources are speculative activities and involve a degree of risk. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company including, but not limited to: the ability of management to execute its business plan or realise anticipated benefits from acquisitions; the risk of disruptions from public health emergencies and/or pandemics; competition for specialised equipment and human resources; the Company’s ability to manage growth; the Company’s ability to manage the costs related to inflation; disruption in supply chains; the risk of currency fluctuations; changes in interest rates, oil and gas prices and netbacks; the risk that the Company’s tax advisors’ and/or auditors’ assessment of the Company’s cumulative tax losses varies significantly from management’s expectations of the same; potential changes in joint venture partner strategies and participation in work programmes; uncertainty regarding the contemplated timelines and costs for work programme execution; the risks of disruption to operations and access to worksites; potential changes in laws and regulations, including international treaties and trade policies; the uncertainty regarding government and other approvals; counterparty risk; the risk that financing may not be available; risks associated with weather delays and natural disasters; and the risk associated with international activity. See the most recent annual information form and management’s discussion and analysis of the Company for a detailed discussion of the risk factors.

    Certain forward-looking information in this news release may also constitute “financial outlook” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Financial outlook involves statements about Valeura’s prospective financial performance or position and is based on and subject to the assumptions and risk factors described above in respect of forward-looking information generally as well as any other specific assumptions and risk factors in relation to such financial outlook noted in this news release. Such assumptions are based on management’s assessment of the relevant information currently available, and any financial outlook included in this news release is made as of the date hereof and provided for the purpose of helping readers understand Valeura’s current expectations and plans for the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on any financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes or in other circumstances and that the risk factors described above or other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from any financial outlook.

    The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction, including where such offer would be unlawful. This news release is not for distribution or release, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Ireland, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which its publication or distribution would be unlawful.

    Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Polish parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Horbatowski, announces Taiwan to open market to fresh blueberries from Poland

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Polish parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Horbatowski, announces Taiwan to open market to fresh blueberries from Poland

    • Date：2025-07-01
    • Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    July 1, 2025  

    No. 227  

    On July 1, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon for visiting deputies of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland—Łukasz Horbatowski, Marek Chmielewski, and Iwona Krawczyk—who also serve on the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group. The two sides exchanged views on issues such as bilateral relations, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural exchanges.

     

    In his remarks, Minister Lin pointed out that the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group was the largest group of its kind in the Sejm. He thanked members of the Polish parliament for their long-term support of Taiwan through concrete actions. Minister Lin said that cooperation between Taiwan and Poland in economics, trade, higher education, judicial matters, technology, and other domains had continued to deepen in recent years. He expressed hope that, building on the existing foundations, the two countries would further work together to strengthen interactions and exchanges. 

     

    Furthermore, Minister Lin announced that Taiwan had recently approved the import of fresh blueberries from Poland. Once final administrative procedures were completed, he said, the people of Taiwan would have the opportunity to enjoy high-quality Polish blueberries, benefiting both Polish farmers and Taiwanese consumers. Minister Lin also noted that Taiwan possessed a world-leading ICT sector while Poland had outstanding professional talent and production capacity, which presented opportunities for bilateral collaboration in artificial intelligence, drones, and advanced chips. Minister Lin said he looked forward to continued collaboration between the two countries to build resilient and democratic non-red supply chains.

     

    Mr. Horbatowski, who was visiting Taiwan for the first time, expressed his appreciation for Minister Lin’s invitation and said that he was impressed with Taiwan’s advanced political and economic development. He added that Poland, as a major exporter of agricultural products, welcomed Taiwan’s decision to approve fresh blueberry imports and added that he looked forward to continued cooperation in the agricultural and high-tech sectors to enhance the welfare of the people of both countries.

     

    Taiwan and Poland share the universal values of freedom and democracy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to promote cooperation between the two nations in various fields so as to deepen their resilient partnership, create sustainable prosperity and well-being for the people of Taiwan and Poland, and uphold their hard-earned democratic achievements. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Discover your roots through free family history course

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The course, led by Penny Smith from Midland Ancestors in association with the Friends of Wolverhampton Archives and Wolverhampton’s Library Service, is designed for complete beginners and will cover the basic building blocks of research, demystifying key historical documents and providing practical advice on where to find them.

    Over the three weeks, participants will gain a solid foundation in researching family history. The first week offers a guide to recording family history, sources of help, and the registration system, including what to look for on birth, marriage and death certificates.  

    Week two will focus on census records dating back as far as 1841 and examine the 1939 Register, and finally week three will look in detail at church records for baptisms, banns and weddings, and burials, and discuss possible next steps for researchers.

    It takes place on Fridays 10, 17 and 24 October and spaces are limited. People are urged to reserve now to avoid disappointment and will need to be able to attend all three weeks – please email jennifer.lees@wolverhampton.gov.uk for more details.

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Resident Services, said: “This course is a brilliant way for people to connect with their roots and uncover the stories of those who came before them.

    “Family history is not just about names and dates — it’s about understanding who we are and where we’ve come from – and I’m delighted we’re able to offer this opportunity, right here in Wolverhampton, free of charge.

    “Penny is very knowledgeable on all things family history and ran a successful course for us last year as part of the Know Your Neighbourhood project.

    “Since then she has run monthly drop-in sessions at Penn Library where people can bring in their research queries, and this course is a great opportunity for residents to explore their personal histories in greater detail.”

    The Know Your Neighbourhood project, supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Arts Council England and national charity Libraries Connected, is designed to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 disadvantaged areas across England.

    So far Wolverhampton Libraries have delivered over 350 sessions as part of the project with more than 2,100 attendees, covering areas such as local history, arts and crafts, social groups, games and wellbeing.

    To find out more about Midland Ancestors, please visit Midland Ancestors. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Young musicians set to shine at Wulfrun Hall this summer

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Wolverhampton Summer Sounds is a four-night celebration of musical talent taking place at the Wulfrun Hall, University of Wolverhampton at The Halls, from next Tuesday 15 July to Friday 18 July.

    Over 4 nights, 400 members of the Youth Choir, Concert String Orchestra, Keyboard Ensemble, Fusion Fives, Big Top SEND Ensemble, Bhangra Fusion Percussion, the Primary and Secondary Rock ‘n’ Pop groups, Guitar Group, Concert Wind Band, New Wind, Early Strings, New Strings, Jazz Big Band, Youth Wind Orchestra and Youth Orchestra will take to the stage to perform in front of family, friends and the public.

    Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “This concert series will be a powerful showcase of the dedication, creativity and spirit of Wolverhampton’s young musicians. Their talent deserves to be heard and celebrated on the big stage and we hope as many families as possible can join us for these very special performances.”

    The Summer Sounds concert series has been made possible thanks to a generous donation of £10,000 donation from the Friends of Wolverhampton Music Service. They will be raising further funds with a raffle each evening, with the top prize being a CCTV security system, worth £220, donated by Assa Abloy.

    Head of Service Ciaran O’Donnell said: “We provide our concerts entirely free of charge because we think it is really important that parents and supporters get to hear the achievements of their young musicians.

    “And it’s crucial for the performers that they play to a big audience and in the best possible venues, as that provides them with the most authentic experience.

    “We are overwhelmed by this generous donation from the Friends which will enable us to make it a summer to remember for our young musicians.”

    Wolverhampton Music Service provides high quality tuition and musical opportunities for youngsters from schools across the city, including the chance to perform with its flagship groups, Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra and Wolverhampton Youth Wind Orchestra. To find out more, please visit Wolverhampton Music Service.

    The Music Service will be recruiting new members in September – visit Music School – Parents & Pupils Music School Groups for information about each of the groups. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HY5!s all round as year of achievements is celebrated

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The event was a celebration of co-production in action — where young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) came together with strategic leaders to reflect on their proudest moments and the positive changes they’ve helped shape.

    The event showcased the work that members of HY5!, along with ambassadors from Broadmeadow Special School, have been doing in a number of key priority areas – creating good quality, accessible and inclusive places and spaces, getting good quality help from well trained workers, and developing good services that enable young people to live their life the way they want.

    Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “HY5! is more than a forum – it’s a movement led by young people with SEND who are determined to make Wolverhampton a more inclusive, understanding, and empowering place for everyone.

    “Their passion, insight and courage is helping to shape a city where every young person – regardless of ability – can thrive.

    “By working in co-production with strategic colleagues we are able to make changes where it matters most, aiming to create better futures for young people and their families.

    “The event was a chance to reflect on these achievements, strengthen partnerships and look ahead to the next chapter of youth-led change in Wolverhampton.”

    To find out more about HY5! and how young people and families can get involved, please visit Wolverhampton SEND Local Offer.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iran says death toll from Israeli attacks nears 1,100

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    TEHRAN, July 8 (Xinhua) — The death toll from Israeli attacks on Iran between June 13 and 24 has reached 1,060, Saeed Ohadi, head of Iran’s Martyrs and Veterans Foundation, told state-run IRIB on Monday.

    He noted that the number of victims could rise further, given the presence of seriously wounded and unidentified bodies.

    On June 13, Israel launched a series of major airstrikes on nuclear and military sites inside Iran, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians and injuring many others.

    Iran has retaliated with missiles and drones against Israel, causing casualties and destruction.

    On June 24, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the two countries, ending 12 days of fighting. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China extends yellow warning for heavy rains and heat

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) — China’s National Meteorological Center (NMC) on Tuesday extended a yellow alert for heavy rain and heat in some parts of the country.

    According to the NMC, on Tuesday afternoon, the air temperature will exceed 35 degrees Celsius in some areas between the Yellow River and Huaihe River, the Yangtze River and Huaihe River, the Jianghan Plain, areas south of the Yangtze River in southern China, as well as in some areas of Chongqing City, Guizhou Province and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

    According to the forecast, high temperatures in the above-mentioned areas are expected in some places, ranging from 37 to 39 degrees Celsius, while in some parts of the country, the maximum temperature may exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

    The NMC recommended avoiding outdoor activities and taking precautions to protect vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.

    According to the NMC, heavy rainfall is expected to hit parts of Zhejiang, Fujian, Sichuan, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Shanxi and Yunnan provinces, as well as Chongqing and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 08:00 Tuesday to 08:00 Wednesday.

    Let us recall that China has a four-tier weather warning system, with the highest level of danger indicated by red, followed in descending order by orange, yellow and blue. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China to host cultural festival dedicated to Kyrgyz heroic epic “Manas”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) — The International Cultural and Tourism Festival on the Theme of the Kyrgyz Oral Heroic Epic “Manas” will be held from July 13 to 20 in Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the prefectural government said.

    The festival, which will bring together more than 300 guests from China and abroad, will feature eight thematic events, including scientific seminars, a Manas epic storytelling competition, and the signing of agreements in the fields of culture and tourism.

    During the festival, memorandums of cooperation in the field of culture, tourism and physical education will be signed between the cities and regions of Kyrgyzstan and the Kyzylsu-Kyrgyz Autonomous Okrug, covering the joint protection of intangible cultural heritage, holding sports competitions, cross-border tourism and border trade and the joint development of cross-border e-commerce.

    Innovative methods for preserving the epic will be an important part of the events. Experts from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other organizations will discuss issues related to preserving the epic using digital technology. In addition, the festival will launch a new research institution aimed at digitizing, protecting and preserving Manas. The founders of this institution are Xinjiang Normal University and the authorities of the Kyzylsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Region.

    The heroic epic “Manas” is a cycle of tales related to the life and exploits of the main character – the legendary hero Manas, the unifier of the Kyrgyz tribes. It occupies an important place in the oral folklore of the Kyrgyz. This epic poem is known as one of the three heroic epics of the national minorities of China, along with the heroic epics “King Gesar” of the Tibetan ethnic group and “Dzhangar” of the Mongolian ethnic group.

    Let us recall that on May 1 of this year, a new legislative act on the preservation of the Manas epic came into force in the XUAR. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Summer camp “Chinese language bridge” for students from St. Petersburg opened in Shandong

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) — Shandong Normal University (SNU) in eastern China’s Shandong Province on Thursday held an opening ceremony for the 2025 summer camp for students from St. Petersburg as part of the “Chinese Language Bridge” project. The event was organized by the China-Foreign Language Exchange and Cooperation Center under the Chinese Ministry of Education with the support of the SNU Institute of International Education.

    As reported on the official website of SPU, Vice-Rector of the university Li Na warmly greeted the Russian guests in her welcoming speech. She emphasized the deep traditions of Chinese-Russian friendship and fruitful cooperation, noting the growing interest in studying the Chinese language in Russia. In recent years, the university has been actively implementing the Belt and Road initiative, expanding educational cooperation with Russian partners: a program for training local Chinese language teachers at Russian universities has been launched, a project to popularize the Chinese language for comprehensive schools in Russia has been implemented, and the Sino-Russian Virtual Department of the Chinese Language has been created. SPU plans to use the opportunities of the newly opened camp and the cross-cultural years of China and Russia to deepen mutual understanding between the peoples and strengthen friendly ties between the two countries.

    In the coming days, campers will learn Chinese through interactive lessons, experience traditional crafts first-hand, and immerse themselves in the spring culture of Jinan City (the capital of Shandong Province, East China), feeling the unique pulse of the city through its crystal-clear springs. At the summer camp, young people will also improve their language skills, learn the depth and richness of Chinese traditional culture, and build new bridges of friendship amidst the picturesque scenery of Jinan City.

    The project was reportedly not only a deep cultural immersion but also a practical contribution to strengthening mutual trust between China and Russia. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The 4th China-Russia Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship was held in Jilin Province

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) — The 4th China-Russia Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championships opened at the Sports Complex of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture (Jilin Province, northeast China) on July 6.

    According to the Jilin Provincial Physical Culture and Sports Administration, the competition arena hosted over 50 young athletes from Russia and over 50 athletes from the aforementioned autonomous region in both male and female categories. The participants ranged in age from 6 to 18 years old.

    On the tatami, Chinese and Russian athletes demonstrated graceful movements, throwing with impeccable precision, and deftly demonstrating painful and choking techniques. The virtuoso fights between Chinese and Russian athletes became a clash of strength and intellect, and the principle of “through sport to friendship” enriched the palette of sports and cultural exchange between the two countries.

    The championship is aimed at implementing the “Sports Power” and “Healthy China” strategies. The organization of bilateral and multilateral youth competitions and educational and research projects with countries around Northeast Asia strengthens international sports cooperation. The unique “competition plus tourism plus commerce” format continuously infuses Yanbian, a popular tourist destination, with vitality. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 18 people missing after floods hit northern Nepal

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    KATHMANDU, July 8 (Xinhua) — At least 18 people were reported missing early Tuesday due to floods caused by incessant rains in northern Nepal, Rasuwa District Police Inspector Krishna Dhital told Xinhua.

    At least 18 people are reported missing in the floods that hit the Rasuwagadhi border point, he said. Most of the missing are workers at a dry port located near the border.

    According to K. Dhital, the water washed away a bridge at the border point and carried away several parked electric vehicles.

    Nepal suffers from monsoon rains every year. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 50 Marmots Reintroduced to Eastern Mongolia to Maintain Ecological Balance

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    ULAN BATOR, July 8 (Xinhua) — A total of 50 marmots have been recently reintroduced in eastern Mongolia’s Dornod province, the provincial Department of Environment and Tourism said Tuesday.

    “This step is part of the country’s efforts to maintain ecological balance, reduce soil degradation and combat desertification, and restore degraded pastures,” the department said in a statement.

    Marmots living in Mongolia are represented by two species – the gray marmot and the Siberian marmot /tarbagan/. The habitat of these species covers an area of about 235 thousand square kilometers, which is 15.6 percent of the entire territory of Mongolia. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Ready to Work with International Community to Bring Global Economy Back to Normal: Li Qiang

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    RIO DE JANEIRO, July 8 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Monday that China is ready to work with the international community to achieve a speedy recovery of the global economy.

    Li Qiang made the remarks during a meeting with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS summit.

    World trade has undergone significant changes with the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, which has seriously affected the international economic and trade order and created serious challenges for the world economy and the development of countries, Li Qiang said.

    Against this backdrop, the international community is increasingly calling for the protection of the multilateral trading system and placing increasing hopes on the WTO to play a more active role, he added.

    Noting that economic globalization is an irreversible trend of history, Li Qiang said China will, as always, continue to practice and safeguard multilateralism and free trade, actively support the reform and development of the WTO to restore its authority, speed up the improvement of trade rules, and push for more concrete results from the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference.

    Li Qiang noted that China has abundant resources and means to counter adverse external influences, and is confident and capable of promoting sustainable and healthy economic development.

    This year, China has implemented more proactive and effective macroeconomic policies, advanced the strategy of expanding domestic demand and launched special initiatives to boost consumption, he said, noting the huge growing demand driven by a super-large market of more than 1.4 billion consumers.

    China, Li Qiang added, will take further measures for voluntary and unilateral opening-up, strictly abide by the principles and market rules of the WTO, and continue to share development opportunities with other countries to bring positive energy to the world. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China to Present Achievements of 14th Five-Year Plan Period

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) — China’s State Council Information Office will hold a series of press conferences to showcase the country’s high-quality implementation of the tasks set for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

    The first press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday. Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, will present the country’s achievements in socio-economic development during this period and answer questions from media representatives. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: How to Stabilize Africa’s Debt

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    How to Stabilize Africa’s Debt

    By Athene Laws, Thibault Lemaire, and Nikola Spatafora

    July 8, 2025

    Successful debt stabilization requires measures to strengthen public finances and institutions, alongside pro-growth structural reforms and a sound macroeconomic environment

    In the context of high global uncertainty, tighter global financial conditions, and rising borrowing costs, concerns about sub-Saharan Africa’s debt vulnerabilities are mounting. But the region is tackling this issue head-on and public debt ratios have stabilized on average. Our analytical note in the IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa uses a new data set to highlight when, how often, to what extent, and how debt stabilization was achieved.

    Surprising frequency

    Contrary to perception, countries in the region have often been able to stabilize or reduce their debt ratios without debt restructuring. With more than 60 debt reduction episodes (defined as periods of two or more years during which the public debt-to-GDP ratio fell), the probability that a country will experience such an episode in any given year is one in four. And these episodes have occurred even amid an unfavorable external environment, including in the aftermath of the commodity super cycle and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The debt decline in many cases was economically significant and persistent: most episodes involved a decrease of more than 10 percentage points of GDP, and almost half of those episodes lasted four or more years. For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s debt ratio fell by 15 percentage points of GDP during 2010–23, and Cabo Verde’s debt ratio decreased by more than 30 percentage points over 2021–23.

    Sustained debt reduction typically reflects both budgetary consolidation and real economic growth. Often these two drivers go together—budgetary consolidation (that is, an increase in primary balances) is itself more likely when growth is rapid. In fragile and conflict-affected states, however, as well as low-income countries, growth is the predominant driver of many successful reductions in debt.

    Securing success

    Debt reduction is more likely, more significant, and more persistent if three conditions hold: the country has a solid domestic institutional framework and enjoys a supportive domestic business environment; global growth is buoyant; and global borrowing costs are low. A debt decline is also more likely when an IMF-supported arrangement is present, pointing to the importance of international financial and policy support. Relatedly, budget consolidation must be sustained over time to translate into debt consolidation. While exchange rate stability can support successful debt stabilization, maintaining an overvalued exchange rate can prove counterproductive since it is likely to lower growth and hamper overall macroeconomic stability.

    By way of example, in Mauritius, a favorable domestic and external environment, solid growth, and a stable currency saw a reduction in the debt ratio of almost 20 percentage points during 2003–08.

    The road ahead

    The key message for policymakers is that fiscal adjustment is likely to result in stronger, more durable reductions in debt when complemented by pro-growth structural reforms and by measures to strengthen institutional frameworks. Such measures should include well-designed fiscal rules to ensure that off-budget fiscal operations do not undermine debt reduction. Efforts to cut debt are also more likely to prove successful in a context of macroeconomic stability, including low and stable inflation.

    Countries aiming to sustainably reduce debt should seize the opportunity to tax and spend more efficiently. The focus should be on strengthening fiscal balances in a growth-friendly manner by broadening the tax base, removing inefficient tax exemptions, and ensuring that money is well spent.

    Support from the international community, including through technical support but also through concessional financing, is critical to helping the region succeed. Most countries—especially fragile states and low-income countries—face difficult trade-offs between short-term macroeconomic stabilization, longer-term development needs, and making reforms socially acceptable. External support can make these difficult trade-offs less daunting.

    ****

    Athene Laws and Thibault Lemaire are economists, and Nikola Spatafora is a senior economist, in the IMF’s African Department.

    —This blog is based on an analytical note for the IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa authored by Athene Laws, Thibault Lemaire, Rachid Pafadnam, Nikola Spatafora, and Khushboo Khandelwal.

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/07/08/cf-how-to-stabilize-africas-debt

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Happy Family, Love and Fidelity Day!

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Official website of the State –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    This year, Russia celebrates Family, Love, and Fidelity Day at the official state level for the third time. The holiday came to the secular calendar from the church calendar, where the memory of the holy spouses Peter and Fevronia is honored on July 8.

    The traditional family is one of the fundamental values of humanity. In recent years, the Government of the Russian Federation has been seriously working to support this fundamental institution of society. Since January 1, 2025, a new national project “Family” has been in effect, which has become a continuation of the national project “Demography”. Its goal is to increase the number of families with children, including large families, and to strengthen family values.

    The State University of Management is also working in this direction – with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, it is implementing a single comprehensive model for providing support to representatives of young families in the format of a “single window” system. Also in March of this year, a mother and child room was opened at the university, and in April the 2nd International Scientific Conference “Family in Modern Russian Society” was held.

    We congratulate everyone on this bright, kind and important holiday. We wish the students of the State University of Management to find their soul mates, and to those who have already done so – an unquenchable family hearth. Women, support your men, they really need it, even if they don’t show it. Men, show your women signs of attention every day, because they are so pleased. For example, today you can give daisies – a symbol of Family, Love and Fidelity Day.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Polish parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Horbatowski, announces Taiwan to open market to fresh blueberries from Poland

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Polish parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Horbatowski, announces Taiwan to open market to fresh blueberries from Poland

    Date：2025-07-01
    Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    July 1, 2025  
    No. 227  

    On July 1, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon for visiting deputies of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland—Łukasz Horbatowski, Marek Chmielewski, and Iwona Krawczyk—who also serve on the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group. The two sides exchanged views on issues such as bilateral relations, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural exchanges.
     
    In his remarks, Minister Lin pointed out that the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group was the largest group of its kind in the Sejm. He thanked members of the Polish parliament for their long-term support of Taiwan through concrete actions. Minister Lin said that cooperation between Taiwan and Poland in economics, trade, higher education, judicial matters, technology, and other domains had continued to deepen in recent years. He expressed hope that, building on the existing foundations, the two countries would further work together to strengthen interactions and exchanges. 
     
    Furthermore, Minister Lin announced that Taiwan had recently approved the import of fresh blueberries from Poland. Once final administrative procedures were completed, he said, the people of Taiwan would have the opportunity to enjoy high-quality Polish blueberries, benefiting both Polish farmers and Taiwanese consumers. Minister Lin also noted that Taiwan possessed a world-leading ICT sector while Poland had outstanding professional talent and production capacity, which presented opportunities for bilateral collaboration in artificial intelligence, drones, and advanced chips. Minister Lin said he looked forward to continued collaboration between the two countries to build resilient and democratic non-red supply chains.
     
    Mr. Horbatowski, who was visiting Taiwan for the first time, expressed his appreciation for Minister Lin’s invitation and said that he was impressed with Taiwan’s advanced political and economic development. He added that Poland, as a major exporter of agricultural products, welcomed Taiwan’s decision to approve fresh blueberry imports and added that he looked forward to continued cooperation in the agricultural and high-tech sectors to enhance the welfare of the people of both countries.
     
    Taiwan and Poland share the universal values of freedom and democracy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to promote cooperation between the two nations in various fields so as to deepen their resilient partnership, create sustainable prosperity and well-being for the people of Taiwan and Poland, and uphold their hard-earned democratic achievements. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Alien planet lashed by huge flares from its ‘angry beast’ star

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Scientists are tracking a large gas planet experiencing quite a quandary as it orbits extremely close to a young star – a predicament never previously observed.

    This exoplanet, as planets beyond our solar system are called, orbits its star so tightly that it appears to trigger flares from the stellar surface – larger than any observed from the sun – reaching several million miles (km) into space that over time may strip much of this unlucky world’s atmosphere.

    The phenomenon appears to be caused by the planet’s interaction with the star’s magnetic field, according to the researchers. And this star is a kind known to flare, especially when young.

    “A young star of this type is an angry beast, especially if you’re sitting as close up as this planet does,” said Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy astrophysicist Ekaterina Ilin, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature.

    The star, called HIP 67522, is slightly more massive than the sun and is located about 407 light-years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).

    This star and planet, as well as a second smaller gas planet also detected in this planetary system, are practically newborns. Whereas the sun and our solar system’s planets are roughly 4.5 billion years old, this star is about 17 million years old, with its planets slightly younger.

    The planet, named HIP 67522 b, has a diameter almost the size of Jupiter, our solar system’s largest planet, but with only 5% of Jupiter’s mass. That makes it one of the puffiest exoplanets known, with a consistency reminiscent of cotton candy (candy floss).

    It orbits five times closer to its star than our solar system’s innermost planet Mercury orbits the sun, needing only seven days to complete an orbit.

    A flare is an intense eruption of electromagnetic radiation emanating from the outermost part of a star’s atmosphere, called the corona. So how does HIP 67522 b elicit huge flares from the star? As it orbits, it apparently interacts with the star’s magnetic field – either through its own magnetic field or perhaps through the presence of conducting material such as iron in the planet’s composition.

    “We don’t know for sure what the mechanism is. We think it is plausible that the planet moves within the star’s magnetic field and whips up a wave that travels along magnetic field lines to the star. When the wave reaches the stellar corona, it triggers flares in large magnetic field loops that store energy, which is released by the wave,” Ilin said.

    “As it moves through the field like a boat on a lake, it creates waves in its wake,” Ilin added. “The flares these waves trigger when they crash into the star are a new phenomenon. This is important because it had never been observed before, especially at the intensity detected.”

    The researchers believe it is a specific type of wave called an Alfvén wave, named for 20th century Swedish physicist and Nobel Prize laureate Hannes Alfvén, that propagates due to the interaction of magnetic fields.

    The flares may heat up and inflate the planet’s atmosphere, which is dominated by hydrogen and helium. Being lashed by these flares could blast away lighter elements from the atmosphere and reduce the planet’s mass over perhaps hundreds of millions of years.

    “At that time, it will have lost most if not all the light elements, and become what’s called a sub-Neptune – a gas planet smaller than Neptune,” Ilin said, referring to the smallest of our solar system’s gas planets.

    The researchers used observations by two space telescopes: NASA’s TESS, short for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, and the European Space Agency’s CHEOPS, short for CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite.

    The plight of HIP 67522 b illustrates the many circumstances under which exoplanets exist.

    “It is certainly no sheltered youth for this planet. But I am not sad about it. I enjoy diversity in all things nature, and what this planet will eventually become – perhaps a sub-Neptune rich in heavy elements that did not evaporate – is no less fascinating than what we observe today.”

    (Reuters)

  • Portugal’s Euro campaign still alive after 1-1 draw with Italy

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A last-gasp equaliser by Portugal’s Diana Gomes against Italy in a thrilling 1-1 draw kept her country’s Women’s Euro campaign alive as her strike cancelled out a stunning second-half goal by Cristiana Girelli on Monday.

    Le Azzurre thought they were through to the quarter-finals after Girelli scored in the 70th minute, shifting the ball to her right foot at the edge of the box before unleashing a curling shot into the top right corner that goalkeeper Patricia Morais had little chance of stopping.

    But Gomes brought Portugal level in the 89th when a corner hit the bar and the Portuguese worked the ball back into the box for Gomes to fire home, sending their raucous fans, who chanted and banged drums throughout the night, into utter delirium.

    The draw spoiled Italy’s chance of clinching a berth in the knockout round on Monday, with Spain the only Group B team to have so far guaranteed a quarter-final spot with their 6-2 win over Belgium in the earlier match.

    (Reuters)

  • Women’s Euros: Putellas finds flow state as Spain thump Belgium 6-2

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Spain striker Alexia Putellas scored two cracking goals as her side defeated Belgium 6-2 on Monday to all but guarantee themselves a spot in the knockout stage at the Women’s Euros, with the 31-year-old saying she found a flow state in the game that made it come easy to her.

    Finding herself in the zone on a wet, blustery evening, Putellas picked up her second straight player of the game award and contributed hugely to Spain overcoming a sloppy start to put the Belgians to the sword.

    “I think there are plenty of moments in a game, the team had an excellent performance, and even if we almost always have things we can improve, I believe that team is fine. We feel comfortable, if there’s something that doesn’t work we can change and adapt,” she told reporters.

    Putellas opened the scoring with a typical Spanish goal midway through the first half, punctuating an intricate passing move with a powerful strike, and she netted Spain’s sixth goal late on to cap a fine individual display.

    Asked whether her flow state came from her own performance or from that of the team, Putellas said it was a little bit of both.

    “They go hand in hand; as an individual you think about the group and when you feel we are all together, you flow, it makes me feel good of course,” she explained. “I have this role of creating options, sometimes I finish them, sometimes others do, (but) I’m feeling great.”

    Belgium proved a tough nut to crack but Putellas and her team trusted themselves to score, no matter who ended up getting the goals.

    “When we have them in the low block, we have more options, we are closer to the box. It’s not that it’s better for me or affects my performance, my objective is to choose the best action in every situation,” Putellas said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI: Consensus estimates ahead of Q2 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Alm. Brand Group hereby publish consensus estimates prior to the announcement of the Q2 results.

    Consensus estimates are also available via: almbrand.dk

    Conference Call

    Alm. Brand Group will report its Q2 2025 results on July 16 at 07:30 CET and host a conference call with management at 11:00 CET on the day of release.

    Dial in for analysts and investors (pincode: 490681):

    Denmark: +45 89 87 50 45

    UK: +44 20 3936 2999

    USA: +1 646 664 1960

    Contact

    Please direct any questions regarding this announcement to:

    Investors and equity analysts:                 

    Mads Thinggaard – Head of Investor Relations & ESG – mobile no. +45 2025 5469        

    Press:        

    Mikkel Luplau Schmidt – Head of Communications and Media Relations – mobile no. +45 2052 3883

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • Wartime innovation boosts Israeli defence tech growth, drawing global interest

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israeli army reservist Zach Bergerson felt he had to take action when he saw fellow soldiers having to rely on their eyes and ears to detect swarms of enemy drones overhead.

    So the high-tech professional, 36, developed a wearable device that uses mobile phone technology to warn troops of aerial threats. Like other reservists, Bergerson has leveraged his civilian expertise and military experience to bolster Israel’s defence industry.

    Known as SkyHoop, his startup has since emerged from stealth mode – a period when startups typically work in secrecy – to be piloted in Ukraine with discussions under way for a trial by the U.S. Defense Department.

    While U.S. President Donald Trump brokers a Gaza ceasefire, Israeli startups like Bergerson’s are drawing investment from U.S. and Israeli venture capital firms and looking to build on a growing European market for Israeli defence exports.

    More than a third of all defence tech startups registered with the country’s Startup Nation Central, an organization that tracks Israeli innovation, were created since a deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, launched the war in Gaza.

    In June, while Israel attacked Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile targets, their 12-day air war highlighted the efficacy of Israel’s aerial defences. Israel successfully intercepted 86% of Iran’s ballistic missile launches, the Defence Ministry said.

    The changing nature of war has led to shifts in defence procurement worldwide. Western armies demand new battle-tested technology, refined by soldiers in combat. Some 20% of Israeli reservists work in the robust high-tech sector.

    Israeli defence startups have drawn investment from major American venture capital firms that previously avoided the sector as it was considered riskier and mired in regulation. Israeli VC firms have emerged as well to invest in defence.

    Lital Leshem, an Israeli reservist, in December co-founded Protego Ventures, a fund that has studied some 160 defence companies and raised around $100 million. She expects the fund will invest in around four companies by year’s end.

    “Reservists are coming out of the battlefield and are actually putting together new companies to solve real problems that they have experienced in real time on the battlefield,” Leshem told Reuters.

    These companies will face major challenges scaling up to the global market and overcoming regulatory hurdles, Leshem said, but she predicts that, like Israel’s cyber industry, it is a field in which Israeli entrepreneurs can thrive.

    These startups formerly viewed the U.S. as the “holy grail” for their target market, Leshem said, but that is also changing.

    EYES ON EUROPE

    Israeli startups are hoping to benefit from Trump’s demand that European countries take over from the U.S. more of the burden of defending their continent.

    Under a new NATO defence spending plan, countries will spend 5% of GDP – up from 2% – on defence. The figure includes 3.5% of GDP on “core defence” such as weapons and troops and 1.5% on security-related investments.

    Such an increase – to be phased in over 10 years – will mean hundreds of billions of dollars more spending on defence.

    Israel’s defence exports hit a record $14.8 billion in 2024, according to Defence Ministry figures released last month, while exports to Europe comprised more than 50% of these sales, up from 35% in 2023.

    Despite calls from some countries to boycott Israeli weapons, “when one side is purchasing, in the end, they want to buy the best product possible,” said Reserve Brigadier General Yair Kulas, head of the Defence Ministry International Defence Cooperation Directorate.

    Largely as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, Kulas said, European states are upgrading their militaries, sending older equipment to Ukraine and replacing it with new products, many of them from Israel. Kulas said the story of Israeli weapons exports is also part of a larger global trend.

    The political backlash is worrisome, Kulas said, because on the one hand Israel’s innovation is groundbreaking and world-class but there has been a “delegitimization of Israel”.

    More than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, local health officials have said, in the 21 months since Israel launched its assault on Gaza, displacing the population and leaving the territory in ruins.

    “I don’t know how it will impact the results in 2025,” Kulas told Reuters. He said it is “certainly a huge challenge.”

    Avi Hasson from Startup Nation Central said the surge of new defence startups created by reservists is reminiscent of a technological revolution 20 years ago that would later evolve into smartphones.

    Startups may prompt larger Israeli defence companies such as ElbitESLT.TA, Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries to either try to acquire more Israeli startups and help bring them up to scale or develop their own technology at a faster pace.

    “We are now in a different world,” Hasson told Reuters.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Feat Through the Years”: Exhibition Dedicated to Heroes of the Past and Present Opened at St. Petersburg State University | St. Petersburg State University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    In his welcoming speech, Vice-Rector for International Affairs of St. Petersburg University Sergey Vladimirovich Andryushin emphasized the importance of the project and thanked the students for their contribution to preserving the historical truth: “You are doing very important work. Thanks to your initiative, the memory of the exploits of our heroes and the most important, fundamental events in the history of our Motherland is preserved. It is very important that this understanding is passed on to new generations. I hope that in the future there will be even more such projects.”

    The exhibition presents photographs and personal stories of combatants. The main objective of the exhibition is to draw a parallel between the exploits of past and present servicemen and to tell about their selflessness. The students who organized the project are convinced that modern Russian servicemen have the same heroic character as their ancestors, who valiantly fought the enemy, crossed rivers, and stormed Berlin.

    The opening of the exhibition “Feat Through the Years” became part of the University’s large-scale program dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Throughout 2025, St. Petersburg University will host thematic lectures, concerts, and memorial meetings:

    Thus, one of the stands tells about the exploits of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, machine gunner Alexander Matrosov and Hero of Russia, reconnaissance company commander Senior Lieutenant Maxim Peskov, who died sacrificing their lives in order to save their comrades in arms.

    © SPbSU

    Vice-Rector for Educational Work at St. Petersburg State University Vladimir Aleksandrovich Savinov noted that the exhibition allows us to understand the inseparable connection between times: “Such exhibitions at our university are not only a tribute to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and the special military operation, but also a living connection between times. Now such projects are needed by the entire country, all our citizens, especially those who are at the front today.”

    The exhibition pays special attention to the continuity of generations, as well as the role of the rear in bringing Victory closer. The exhibition is regularly updated with materials about new heroes, including doctors who saved the lives of their compatriots. Concluding the ceremony, Associate Professor of St. Petersburg University Alexander Petrovich Alekseenko emphasized the importance of preserving traditional spiritual and moral values: “Historical memory, service to the Fatherland and respect for the exploits of the defenders of the Motherland are fundamental values that the University strives to convey to its students and the entire society.”

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: GPA appoints Carly Ersser as Workplace Services Director

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    GPA appoints Carly Ersser as Workplace Services Director

    The Government Property Agency (GPA) has confirmed the appointment of Carly Ersser as its Workplace Services Director.

    The Government Property Agency (GPA) has confirmed the appointment of Carly Ersser as its Workplace Services Director, solidifying her crucial role in shaping the future of Civil Service workplaces.

    Carly joined the agency as interim director in November last year, following 12 years at HM Treasury leading change programmes, workplace experience and multi-site facilities.

    She will play a pivotal role at the GPA in transforming how the Civil Service operates by leading a team managing modern, efficient, and sustainable office environments across His Majesty’s Government. Carly will continue to lead initiatives that contribute significantly to halving carbon emissions from government offices and achieving net zero goals, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental standards within the public sector property portfolio.

    Mark Bourgeois, the GPA’s CEO, said:

    I am delighted to welcome Carly as a permanent member of the GPA team. She brings great insight from a GPA client perspective and has shown real passion in championing excellence in service delivery with a transformation mindset. Her appointment is an important milestone in the continued stabilisation and improvement at the GPA, as we work with departmental partners to support delivery of the government missions.

    The Director of Workplace Services focus is on creating great places to work for civil servants across the UK, ensuring excellence in workplace experience. Carly’s confirmed leadership carries significant responsibility for the performance, security, and safety of the GPA’s operational estates functions, underpinning the agency’s reputation for managing a secure and effective government office portfolio.

    She said:

    I’m proud to be appointed as Workplace Services Director, and am pleased to officially continue driving forward our commitment to delivering exceptional services across the government office estate. I look forward to building on the partnerships with our clients and customers to meet evolving needs, and to strengthening our collaboration with our strategic partners and suppliers to ensure we continue to provide great places to work for civil servants.

    For media enquiries, email: pressoffice@gpa.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ninth China-Russia Expo held in Yekaterinburg, Russia

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Visitors learn about Chinese agricultural products at the ninth China-Russia Expo in Yekaterinburg, Russia, July 7, 2025. Chinese enterprises showcase products in sectors such as electromechanical equipment, agriculture, health care, the digital economy and new energy at the event. (Xinhua/Liu Kai)

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    MIL OSI China News –